Analysis of Mechanical Properties of Coffee Husk Reinforced Unsaturated Polyester Composite with Nano Silicon Dioxide Particles

Abstract

Nowadays, there is an increasing concern toward substituting pollutant and non-renewable synthetic fiber, and the scarce wood fibers with alternative lignocellulosic fibers that originate from agricultural residues to reinforce bio-composites. Therefore, many industries are seeking more eco-friendly materials that will decrease the level of environmental contamination and economic cost. The use of bio-based materials for the production of biocomposites is of interest due to their low cost, abundance, and the fact that they are renewable and biodegradable. Coffee is one of the most valuable primary products in the world trade and a central and popular part of Ethiopian culture. However, coffees productions generate a lot of coffee wastes and by-products, which, could be used for more applications. This project has aimed at evaluating the performance of coffee husk powder with nano-silica reinforced unsaturated polyester composites. To investigate the performance of this composite the coffee husk was crushed, treated with 5% NaOH and dried naturally. Both treated and untreated coffee husk powder was used to produce the composite and tested. The composites were prepared as (15/85, 20/80, 25/75) weight composition for both treated and untreated coffee husk powder, the nano-silica was used 20/80 %wt of treated coffee husk. The results showed that the treated coffee husk has higher performance than the untreated coffee husk composite, while the addition of nano-silica improved the impact strength on contrary it decreased the tensile strength. The result indicates that treated coffee husk fiber can be used in composites as filler to decrease material cost. On this basis using coffee husk fiber is advantageous in decreasing cost and decrease wastes that come from coffee production. Generally treated coffee husk fiber is advantageous reinforcement to increase mechanical properties and decrease cost of the product.Nowadays, There Is An Increasing Concern Toward Substituting Pollutant And Non-Renewable Synthetic Fiber, And The Scarce Wood Fibers With Alternative Lignocellulosic Fibers That Originate From Agricultural Residues To Reinforce Bio-Composites. Therefore, Many Industries Are Seeking More Eco-Friendly Materials That Will Decrease The Level Of Environmental Contamination And Economic Cost. The Use Of Bio-Based Materials For The Production Of Biocomposites Is Of Interest Due To Their Low Cost, Abundance, And The Fact That They Are Renewable And Biodegradable. Coffee Is One Of The Most Valuable Primary Products In The World Trade And A Central And Popular Part Of Ethiopian Culture. However, Coffees Productions Generate A Lot Of Coffee Wastes And By-Products, Which, Could Be Used For More Applications. This Project Has Aimed At Evaluating The Performance Of Coffee Husk Powder With Nano-Silica Reinforced Unsaturated Polyester Composites. To Investigate The Performance Of This Composite The Coffee Husk Was Crushed, Treated With 5% Naoh And Dried Naturally. Both Treated And Untreated Coffee Husk Powder Was Used To Produce The Composite And Tested. The Composites Were Prepared As (15/85, 20/80, 25/75) Weight Composition For Both Treated And Untreated Coffee Husk Powder, The Nano-Silica Was Used 20/80 %Wt Of Treated Coffee Husk. The Results Showed That The Treated Coffee Husk Has Higher Performance Than The Untreated Coffee Husk Composite, While The Addition Of Nano-Silica Improved The Impact Strength On Contrary It Decreased The Tensile Strength. The Result Indicates That Treated Coffee Husk Fiber Can Be Used In Composites As Filler To Decrease Material Cost. On This Basis Using Coffee Husk Fiber Is Advantageous In Decreasing Cost And Decrease Wastes That Come From Coffee Production. Generally Treated Coffee Husk Fiber Is Advantageous Reinforcement To Increase Mechanical Properties And Decrease Cost Of The Product.